Method and system for data file processing

Abstract

A library of jobs is created, with the jobs performing predetermined functions. The jobs include a termination indication, which is success or failure. Input file formats of known file types are determined and a job stream to process the input files is constructed of the jobs linked according to the termination success or failure of the preceding job.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method implemented at least partially in a programmed computer for processing a data file, the method comprising:
 selecting a plurality of jobs from a library of jobs, each job including an indicator of job termination, wherein the indicator is either termination success or termination failure; 
 creating a job stream based on the data file by the programmed computer, the job stream comprising the plurality of jobs linked to each other according to the indicator of job termination, wherein the job stream creates an order of jobs to be performed when all jobs succeed; 
 creating a manager by the programmed computer; 
 receiving the data file by the programmed computer; and 
 processing the data file by the programmed computer with the job stream using the manager, wherein processing the data file includes transforming the data file into an output file. 
 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein receiving the data file comprises receiving the data file as an e-mail attachment. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein receiving the data file comprises receiving the data file using file transfer protocol. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein receiving the data file comprises receiving the data file using hypertext transfer protocol. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein receiving the data file further comprises checking security access for the data file. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising creating a visual representation of the plurality of jobs and the interlinking of the jobs by the programmed computer. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising creating an extensible markup language document corresponding to the job stream by the programmed computer. 
     
     
       8. A system for software application development, comprising:
 means for selecting a plurality of jobs from a library of jobs, each job including an indicator of job termination, wherein the indicator is either termination success or termination failure; 
 means for creating a job stream based on a data file, the job stream comprising the plurality of jobs linked to each other according to the indicator of job termination, wherein the job stream creates an order of jobs to be performed when all jobs succeed; 
 means for creating a manager; 
 means for receiving the data file; and 
 means for processing the data file with the job stream using the manager, wherein processing the data file includes transforming the data file into an output file. 
 
     
     
       9. A tangible computer-readable medium having computer executable software code stored thereon, the code for software application development, the code comprising:
 code to select a plurality of jobs from a library of jobs, each job including an indicator of job termination, wherein the indicator is either termination success or termination failure; 
 code to create a job stream based on a data file, the job stream comprising the plurality of jobs linked to each other according to the indicator of job termination, wherein the job stream creates an order of jobs to be performed when all jobs succeed; 
 code to create a manager; 
 code to receive the data file; and 
 code to process the data file with the job stream using the manager, wherein processing the data file includes tranforming the data file into an output file. 
 
     
     
       10. A programmed computer for software application development, comprising:
 a memory having at least one region for storing computer executable program code; and 
 a processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, wherein the program code comprises:
 code to select a plurality of jobs from a library of jobs, each job including an indicator of job termination, wherein the indicator is either termination success or termination failure; 
 code to create a job stream from the plurality of jobs in the library of jobs, the job stream comprising selected jobs linked to each other according to the indicator of job termination, wherein the job stream creates an order of jobs to be performed when all jobs succeed; and 
 code to process a data file using the job stream, wherein processing the data file includes transforming the data file into an output file, wherein processing the data file includes transforming the data file into an output file.